10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,799 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #211

Jan 042022

Sorento

  • miles
Although no warning light, we heard a slight knock with the engine over the course of a couple days, intermittently. Called the dealer to schedule appointment. Very next day knocking significantly louder and undriveable, so had towed. Engine now needs to be replaced at 135,000 miles. Not covering because oil changes done outside of dealership.

- Bowdoin, ME, USA

problem #210

Feb 152022

Sorento

  • miles
On 2/15/22, I accelerated to pass another car while driving home from work. As soon as I accelerated, my car stopped running. I coasted to the next turnoff from a busy street (about 1 block) and stopped at the curb in a residential area. The control panel/dashboard was completely dark, then suddenly lit up again. I tried to start the car but couldn't because I was unable to depress the brake. I waited a few minutes and tried again and a small amount of smoke came out from under the hood. In a minute that went away. At this time, I was very near my house and walked home. When I got there I called the Kia dealership (local) and described what happened. They asked if there had been a 'check engine' or other warning message before this happened and I told them there had not been. I said I guess I would have to have the car towed in to them to see what was wrong. I was told they would call back. While waiting for someone to call back, I walked back to my car. (All of this took less than 10 - 12 minutes.) As I turned the corner I saw police cars and a firetruck where my car was parked. The fire had been put out and there was only a shell of the car left; the entire motor and everything inside was destroyed. Later, my insurance company declared it a total loss. A neighbor saw flames and had called the fire department. There was some damage to the neighbor's yard - grass and shrubbery. The police called a wrecking service to tow the car. It was later picked up by my insurance co. No one was injured, thankfully; but I can only imagine what would have happened if I had made it home and parked in my garage. The local Kia dealership never called back. I called a week or so after this happened and was told they would have someone call me and no one called (again).

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #209

Mar 102022

Sorento

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving and had come to a complete stop, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. His wife was able to restart the vehicle and pull off to the side of the roadway. The contact was called to the scene, where he was unable to restart the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed; the claim was later denied. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #208

Apr 012022

Sorento

  • miles
I purchased a 2014 Kia Sorento on March 15, 2022. On April 1, 2022, after 2 weeks of normal driving, I was driving the car to the Kia dealership for them to inspect the smell of gasoline fumes, and suddenly, the oil light and engine light turned on, so I pulled over. I saw smoke coming out of the engine so I ran out. Then flames appeared and engulfed the vehicle while I waited for firefighters to arrive. Luckily, no one was hurt. Insurance is currently investigating the cause.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #207

Dec 152021

Sorento

  • miles
104K miles and motor seized up. Engine oil is fine, all fluids and proper maintenance done. Motor begins ticking as soon as the car is put in drive. Per mechanic the motor is getting ready to blow. I expected more from this vehicle as it has been very properly maintained. No fluids leaked, just lost power and started the moaning and clicking noise.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #206

Mar 312022

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the engine bearing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. Consumer was unable to find a dealership to evaluate my engine and determine the source of failure. They have so many KIAs to assess and they have all said they are taking no more vehicles. Consumer did receive a limited warranty extension letter (on 7April22) to 150,000 miles for the oil pressure switch leaking. Vehicle has been losing oil for quite a while now.

- North Andover, MA, USA

problem #205

Apr 022022

Sorento

  • miles
Engine issues like all the others reported but they state no issues per my vin which the issue so am having is the same as all those other engine issues of same make and years

- Fargo, ND, USA

problem #204

Dec 012021

Sorento

  • miles
03/23/2022 11:06:18 3/23 Yes, I still have concerns and I have told Kia numerous times to email or text me but instead they conveniently call while I'm at work 7am-4pm so I can't answer the phone. Due to the continuous oil burning issue that Kia refuses to fix or address eventhough I have agreed to pay, the mechanic now says there's a knock sensor issue which makes it unsafe to drive. I have reached out to Kia for months now, with still no resolution in sight.. If this case is above your pay grade or administrative power, please direct my case to someone who can assist in a speedy and competent manner. A very disappointed customer. 03/15/2022 12:24:02 3/14, 5th message- car needed to be taken to Goodyear due the following:This is the recall (see attachment) that hasn't been fixed on my Kia Sorento yet which can cause other issues - knock sensor such as the ones (stalling) 3/13. 03/13/2022 18:03:52 4th message 3/13/2022 Interesting never received a Thursday or second call from rep Ronee as promised in a previous email. My senior citizen 2 time cancer survivor mom attempted to drive my car to return it to me in Vegas when an hour out of Tucson it stalled as oil light came on. Previously Royal Kia had promised to put extra oil in car so if this happened again, oil could be put in, no oil was in car. Everyone associated with Kia in this case has consistently been inconsistent not fulfilling promises made, plus me and my family just continued to be in convenience by Kia. Demanding a 1000 mileage a month oil consumption test during a pandemic when I work in North Vegas before service is ridulous, unrealistic, and unsafe. Transparency and assistance would be appreciated, but due to Kia's prior action and incompetence, I'm not hopeful. When calling, usually businesses leave a voice-mail, I have no such record from you. Not a satisfied customer. Pics of docs at https://photos.app.goo.gl/YauPabwvPoXzs7z87

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #203

Mar 162022

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while stopping at a red light the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #202

Mar 102022

Sorento

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V519000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, while driving 25 MPH and attempting to make a U-turn, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of a bystander. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer sent a claim to the manufacturer and was awaiting a response. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #201

Jan 042022

Sorento

  • miles
While pulling into my driveway, my car completely died. Shut off and steering wheel stiffened. Was able to restart it and it presented a check engine light and a knocking noise. Took it to Kia dealership and was told the engine needed to be replaced. I was quoted $15,000 for a new engine/9,000 for used. This repair is not covered in the Kia engine settlement. Vehicle is up to date on maintenance and have proof of prior maintenance. Car was brought into a mechanic within days of the knocking noise and check engine light and now it is not drive-able for fear of engine fire or explosion.

- Linden, NC, USA

problem #200

Jan 052022

Sorento

  • miles
For several months I have been adding 1 quart of oil to my 2014 sorento bi-weekly there is no evidence of an external leak, residue or smoke coming out exhaust. When I don-??t add the oil the car stalls, shutters and makes sound during acceleration. I have taken in to dealership but they could not see any issues.

- West Henrietta, NY, USA

problem #199

Aug 012021

Sorento

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated without warning. The contact added coolant. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer Nationwide KIA (1600 York Rd, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093, (410) 561-9000) where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact sent an email to the manufacturer however, they failed to respond. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Olney, MD, USA

problem #198

Oct 122021

Sorento

  • 144,688 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving in the city at an unknown speed, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove home. The contact then drove the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the engine block had cracked which resulted in engine failure. The contact stated that prior to the failure, she had maintained pristine care of the vehicle. Additionally, a month prior to the failure, the same dealer informed her that the engine was in great shape after a routine oil change. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 144,688.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #197

Nov 022021

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving on the high way and took an exit. I started to smell something from my car so I turned it off at a stop light. I looked briefly at the dash but no lights where on. Then I saw smoke coming from the hood of my car. So I put my emergency flashers on and got out within seconds of getting out the smoke turned to flames so I called 911. Entire front of my car was in flames and a couple small explosions happend I believe the first one was the air bags but the second sent my hood flying upwards. My entire inside of the car was chard by the time the fire rescue showed up. There was a line of traffic behind me that stretched close to a mile since it was during traffic night. I didn-??t have enough time to pull the car over safely without the risks of being inside the car while it had fully ignited. The fire men had to get people and cars away from my car. I don-??t know what failed or what happens but the fire started from under the hood. The car is pretty badly burnt so I don-??t think there-??s a way to examine anything. It is a total loss. Upon googling I-??ve noticed a few more reports of Kia 2014 Sorentos catching fire. I don-??t know which component caused it so I can-??t say if it had been examined at all. It also happens extremely fast and I didn-??t have any warning as to a fire breaking out. If I had stayed in the car to drive it to a safe clearing I would have been caught in the blaze. The only light that came on was tier pressure, which had come on a few days prior. No other warning lights came on. Not even during when the smoke appeared. The only thing that warned me was a strange odor right before I saw the smoke.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #196

Oct 012021

Sorento

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 40 - 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated inadvertently and was shaking. The vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with an engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

problem #195

Jul 242021

Sorento

  • miles
When starting up the vehicle it has a cold start & the cold start can last longer then the vehicle warming up. You can hear the engine components inside while it-??s warming up. After staring it up it seems like there is no oil in the vehicle, which it eats oil up which is uncommon

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #194

May 012019

Sorento

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present coming from the engine and the engine experienced excessive oil consumption. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and an oil consumption test was performed but no failure was identified. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #193

Jul 262021

Sorento

  • miles
Engine seized on the PA turnpike leaving my daughter stranded. Dealer repair costs 19k to replace an engine. Apparently there is a defect that causes a bearing to fail causing major engine damage. There apparently was a class action lawsuit that was settled for the r act problem that I have but just not for my motor. My motor was last serviced by a Kia dealer.

- Linwood, NJ, USA

problem #192

Sep 262021

Sorento

  • miles
Car ran out of oil within 4,000 of oil change upon purchasing car. No indicator light came on ever for low or no oil. It cut off at 70 mph on highway. I got on shoulder, turned key off then restarted. Upon doing so every time the car gets to rpm level for gear shift it starts knocking. So if the cars engine is knocking the knock sensor should through service engine light which it did not. I have a) the dealer who rode with me to show him and it started to knock and shut off with him in the car with no check engine light on. Got back to their repair shop to which both mechanics witnessed the engine knocking with no check engine lights (MIL. Malfunction indicator light. Failure)

- Bangor, ME, USA

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